The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1887-03-07
SUBSCRIPTIONS:
SELF-C CONTROL REQUIRED.
A BRIEF ESSAY ON THE FACIAL Ex-
PRESTON OF STENOGRAPHERS

An Indifference and Stoicism to Be
Worn at all Times-The Telling of
ness Secrets.
In all the advertisements and circulars
which the various shorthand schools and
colleges are sending broadcast over the
country regarding the qualifications of
students whom they have graduated,
find one point not alluded to; and as [
believe this omitted point something
necessary to the success of every one
acting as private secretary, it seeDls to
ME it should be Taught or at least spoken
of as a necessary requisite in the pro-
ficiency of shorthand writers.
In these days, when so much Fttention
is given to the Delsarte method of express
sion by those who are fitting themselves
professionally for the stage, and the look
without the accompanying words can be
made to express emotion of any kind, [
would suggest q methOd-differing from
the Delsarte in the opposite extreme
which should be used in com Action with
every system Of shorthand, that pupils
may learn not to accompany their dicta-
tors words with varying expressions of
cOuntenance but SO train themselves that
they can assume StOical expression
out of which they VIII not be surprised
under the most trying circumstances.
In my experience as private amanuensis
in a large wholesale house | have learned
this for myself, and now would help
others just entering the field who have no
idea how much depends upon the cultiva-
ton of facial expression; or rather the
cultivation of nOn-eXpressiOn in the face.
Have you keen sense of humOr, and
TO 1crh To "a
ridiculous side of everything, then warn
YOU to so train yourself that, while laugh
ing inwardIy as much as you please, not
even the fringe of your eyelids shall
culver or the corners of your mouth twist
when your dictator expresses himself in
so peculiar a manner as to excite your
risibles.
IF brought up in 4 conscientious family,
with no knowledge of business entangle-
ments which necessitate the telling of
"white lies then again it will be well
for you to be versed in facial expression
to the intent that when you are receiving
words from your dict8tOr's lips exactly
contrary to opinions expressed by him IN
previous letters to other parties, your eyes
shall not open wide with questioning
look but will maintain dOwncast, ''nOne
of my business position, which at all
times suit your employer, for where IS
there q business man who wants his con-
science sitting at his elbow ready to say
in looks, because ii dare not in words,
''You are not telling the truth, sir. !"
If you pride yourself upon your correct
grammar, and vince involuntariIy at the
indiscriminate mixing of prOnOuns and
lenses when in the presence of people not
related to Richard Grant White, then Will
it be necessary for you to be well trained
that not q shadow OF horror Will pass over
your countenance when your dictator
begins a letter in his most consequential
manner 1--WE done the best we could, but
it is our intentions to do better, etc,
etc. or so mikes his own individual -
with the firm we that you are in doubt
as to the proper signature of the same.
If YOU feel each hair rising, each muscle
of your face wincing and ali the wrinkles
of your forehead holding an indignation
meeting at a common center, l warn you
to suppress them all Say to each culver
ing muscle: Cease thy sympathetic con
WILSON'S and TO the gathering wrinF
Depart in peace, this is none of v.
affair that you should thus show yo ,---
in battle array"
INDIFFERENCE AND STOICISNis.
Are you subjected to the writlg 0-
personal letters, giving informarioU. per
hans. on subjects which arouse yOIl
curiosity. let not one CLEAN of exultatior
shoot from your eyes that you now posses!
the wished for knowledge; or II you are
called upon to take letters of coincidence
to sorrowing friends let not the look OF
abiect pity show itself on your face, moi
even If the tears roll down your dictator 5
ewes and your heart is filled with sym
pathv. You ere not hired as mournel
to enter into the spirit Of the occasion
therefore l say to you maintain look OF
the utmost indifference and stoicism.
If interrupted III the course your die
tatfon bv friend of your employer, who
calls for the purpose of discussing politics
and a lively Conversation ensues-during
which you sit with pencil in your hand
waiting to resume your legitimate bust
ness-let not their words extend further
than your cars, and let not your face eX
press that you stand with either side III
their opinion Of presidential candidates
but let them judge from the vacant looB
in your face that You did not know a faL
election was to take place.
In conclusion strive net 10 be your die
tator's conscience, his grammar or his
clown, but simply his phonograph-his
human machine-which shall receive into
its ears anything and everything on al
subjects, and shall thrnu~h al
countenanC 90 --4 rs a ST. .-.- sr
as vacant as tie .a.a IF an owl ana as an
changeable as the sphinx -Ph0uogr2pbj
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